I just tore into my 3.4l camaro it had developed a real bad valve knock so I shut it down and towed it home. After pulling the valve covers I found one really loose rocker but the rest were good. I just put head gaskets on a week ago so everything was just gone thru. I pulled the intake and found a dead lifter. so now can I put new lifters on the old cam? I would really rather not have to do a cam change on this thing

I have done this in the past with no probems. Just as a precaution, rotate the engine while looking down the lifter bore to determine that the lobe didn't go flat before installing the lifter. Also, coat the bottom of the lifter with engine assembly lube for break in.

What was wrong with the lifter? If the bottom is concave the cam is dead. If there is any roughness the cam is dead.

The lifter came apart. when I took the cover off that rocker was sloppy but everything seemed ok, I bared the engine over and everything moved up and down. I took the intake off and removed the pushrod and the lifter came apart..


I am planning on replacing them all or do you think thats not needed?

thanks

That's a tough one. It really depends on your intentions for it, and how many miles are on it. If it's a high miler that you plan to keep for a while, I would suggest doing the cam too. It may well need a new timing chain anyway. If you're planning on getting rid of it soon, I would just replace the one that came apart and let er go.

not to hijack but i have a quesiton relating this. if i had a collapsed lifter do u think the cam would still be good?